Baseball quotes: Alex Rodriguez says he's 'fighting for my life'

New York Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez hasn't gone into too much detail regarding the "mistakes" that have occurred during his career.

New York Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez hasn't gone into too much detail regarding the "mistakes" that have occurred during his career. (Frank Franklin II / Associated Press)

Times staff

"I know people say ownership turned a blind eye to it, and they probably did in some circumstances. But people were going to start losing interest in watching a bunch of clowns out there on drugs, doing things normal people couldn't even think about doing."

—Former Chicago White Sox pitcher Kelly Wunsch on labor negotiations in 2002, when players and owners struggled to agree on a drug-testing program.

"I'm sure there have been mistakes made along the way, but we're here now. I'm a human being. I've had two hip surgeries. I've had two knee surgeries. I'm fighting for my life. If I don't defend myself, no one else will."

—Detroit Manager Jim Leyland on Cleveland outfielder Ryan Raburn, who pitched a perfect ninth inning against the Tigers on Thursday, one day after signing a two-year, $4.85-million extension with the Indians.

"I told my agent we need to renegotiate because I'm a two-way player now."

—Cleveland outfielder RyanRaburn

"He looks like a kid who might be in a station wagon stopping at McDonald's after a game."